Conspiracy in Kiev

This is probably one of my surprising reads of the year. I had been a bit wary of this book because it was an unfamiliar author and I'm usually not a big fan of books that take place in Eastern European countries. However as soon as I started reading the book, I was hooked in completely. Alex is a character that I absolutely adored from the beginning. She's the type of heroine that you want to be, and that you like very much. She's strong, yet you can see her weaknesses. I really enjoyed all the historical facts that were presented in this book. As a historian, I appreciated how the author used real history and didn't create events to make the story better. It's interesting how real life events can be just as interesting (or even better) in comparison to fictional tales. Some readers might find these bits boring, as the history of Ukraine and the former Soviet Union are told in details but they are relevant to the plot of the story and shouldn't really be skimmed over. The story is extremely well researched and I actually felt like I had traveled to Europe along with Alex. With so much going on in the book, one would think the storyline would be hard to follow. However it's not and it makes for a very fast paced read. One other thing I really liked is that even though the author is male and writes as a first person female, Alex acts like a rational woman and does not fall into cliched stereotypes. I personally enjoyed the downplay of romance in this book. There is quite a bit of violence in this book. The story is very action packed and many characters do die. In fact, it seemed that there was someone that died in almost every chapter. Characters also do drink socially throughout the story. This book felt very realistic in the way situations were handled. Events that take place in this book could pretty much be ripped from headline news. To be honest, I don't consider this book Christian fiction at all. It may be by published by a Christian publisher, but the story doesn't really project anything preachy. Alex does grow stronger in her faith but it is not a main focus point. In fact I would just consider this book to be a good international suspense thriller. By far and away this was one of the best suspense books I've read all year. Tight storyline, thrilling action sequences, an engaging heroine and a page turning read make this one of my favorite reads of the year. VERY HIGHLY recommended.

I grew up reading the stories of Ludlum, MacLean, Higgins, and LeCarre. I loved the intrigue, double crosses, and action that permeated these tales, as well as the occasional deeper themes. It's hard to find novels with that same feel these days, perhaps because most readers don't have the attention span for multiple subplots and characters. In the mainstream market, Daniel Silva and Alex Berenson have stepped to the plate, but there are few parallels in the Christian market. Welcome to Noel Hynd. Here's an author who cut his teeth in the trenches, and now applies superb research and plotting to his Christian suspense debut. "Conspiracy in Kiev" is the story of Alex DeLuca, a standout female FBI agent sent to Ukraine because of her language skills on an assignment to help protect the US president on a diplomatic visit. Tensions are already high in the region, with the heavy hand of Putin ever hovering and the seedy side of Ukraine criminal life bubbling to the surface. Hynd takes his time setting up the background of the characters and locations, and weaves in subplots effortlessly. He expects readers to pay attention and show some intelligence, and those who do so are rewarded with some great action scenes, superlative insights into global situations, and spiritual struggles that seem genuine. One scene between a Ukrainian gangster and Alex DeLuca is a masterpiece of conflict, humor, realism, and gritty tension. I'm thrilled to see Hynd delivering his trademark suspense, and he should be enjoyed by those within the Christian market as well as those outside of it. This is not preachy fiction. This is first-rate writing that rises above some of the one-dimensional, one-trick ponies out there. This pony's only hurdle is finding readers who want something more than another Amish story or run-of-the-mill serial-killer book. I'm going out now to find "Midnight in Madrid."

This is Noel Hynd's first book with Christian publisher Zondervan, although he has a significant back-list of books in the general market. Special Agent Alex DaLuca of the US Treasury is assigned to follow up the business dealings of Yuri Federov, a notorious but charming Ukrainian gangster. Accompanying a US Secret Service team (that includes her fiance) on a presidential visit the Ukraine is the start of a well-written, fast-paced adventure that utilises all Alex's skills and stretches her faith. This book is well-researched and well-written, and I look forward to reading more of Hynd's releases for Zondervan. This is the first of a trilogy - the second is "Murder in Madrid". My copy of this book had an advertisement for "The Enemy Within" at the back. Please note, "The Enemy Within" was not written for the CBA (Christian) market, and has some "colourful" content that would not be approved by a CBA publisher.

Conspiracy in Kiev, marks Noel Hynd venture into christian fiction a hugh success. This book is written in such a way that keeps the reader wanting to get to the next page.The characters are well developed and the plot is slowly unfolded so as to provide suprises through out the book.The twist and turns keep coming and coming.You will find very quick that it is fast paced,well written,and long hours of research have gone into this spy novel. The action will satisfy action fans, but it is the backdrop that provide's the crux of this book, along with the great characters whom are not cardboard, but seem to be real people right out of the spy world.This book is so engrossing it will leave midnight readers with buzzing brains. This book rates right along with his other bestsellers such as [Flowers from Berlin] There are two more coming in this series. Run to the book store and get this one , you will not be disappointed!!!!!